I've played with several different controllers and I've decided to stick with mouse + keyboard. Here are the pros and cons of the controllers I've used:

Joystick:

Pros:

Allows for a much more 'hands on' feel with your aircraft - you have direct control of every movement

Feels more 'plane-y' haha

I grew up using a stick in MSFS 2002 - X + Acceleration, Aces High II, and Fighter Ace II + III

Cons:

I use the HOTAS Warthog, which is VERY sensitive in simulators like DCS A-10C but it loses a LOT of sensitivity in WoWP because the developers don't use such a high-resolution for control inputs.

The developers decided that the joystick needs to be slightly clumsy to make up for the fact that it is a much more natural method of controlling an aircraft and so they considered it 'OP'.

Controller:

Pros:

It's somewhere between a joystick and mouse + keyboard - it doesn't get the nerf that the joystick got.

Cons:

For me, using the controller just doesn't add up to a flight experience and I had a hard time learning to use two sticks and all the buttons, etc on my NVidia SHIELD controller to fly a plane. I haven't had experience with XBox controllers, so don't want to say anything about those, although I'm sure I would probably have the same issues! (I'm pretty lame with console controllers...)

Keyboard + Mouse:

Pros:

No setup required - plug and play compatibility - also, I play on a laptop, so it's very portable.

Point where you want to go and the game figures out the rest (I don't really like this all that much, but it is sometimes a pro for newer players)

Aiming is really easy (one of my biggest peeves with how they set up joysticks was how hard they made it to aim)

Cons:

Advanced maneuvers are out of the question - you just can't pull off some maneuvers without opposite rudder and aileron inputs, to say nothing of controlling the elevator at the same time!

Quite a bit of 'disconnect' from flying the plane, which can be hard for people transitioning from more of a 'simulator' experience.

So far it's it's lasted 2x as long as any Saitek or other joystick I've had and the only thing I'm noticing is that the spring resistance is a little bit weaker when pulling the rear than when pushing forward or to the sides.

This can be fixed with a replacement spring that CH sells as in their parts department.

After a month or so of almost daily use, I sometimes have to recalibrate using the ch control managers but other than that, it's golden.

DICTA BOELCKE for WoWP
1. Try to secure the upper hand before attacking.
2. Always continue with an attack you have begun
3. Open fire only at close range, and then only when the opponent is squarely in your sights
4. You should always try to keep your eye on your opponent, and never let yourself be deceived by ruses
5. In any type of attack, it is essential to assail your opponent from behind
6. If your opponent dives on you, do not try run away from his attack, but fly to meet it
7. When over the enemy's lines, always remember your own line of retreat
8. It is better to attack in groups of four or six. Avoid two aircraft attacking the same opponent

I've used the Logitech XP Pro for about a year, had at one time 3 of them; never had any problems with any of them. then suffered a fine motor skills loss in my Lft, hand; then I purchased a Hotas X Thrustmaster which fits me a bit better; mainly in that I can still use my Lft hand for a greater number of functions even with mobility limits.

I concur with Bobo. Excellent stick, minimal time to set up buttons for personal preferences. Much more realistic as you spin as your aircraft does (takes some getting used to) and is capable of more maneuvers than one could ever hope for from a keyboard or mouse.